[Gunn Zoo Mystery 03] • GZM03 - the Llama of Death

Zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley takes Alejandro, the Gunn Zoollama, toaMonterey Bay-areaRenaissance Faire only todiscover the still-warm body ofthe ReverendVictor Emerson, owner of the local wedding chapel, dressed in his royal robes as Henry the Eighth. At first it appears as if Alejandro stomped the man to death, but a closer look reveals a crossbow dart in the man's back. Teddy'sinvestigation provesthe "reverend"isn't really a reverend at all - he'san escapedconvict, and every marriage he's performed in the past twenty years is null and void. Teddy's mother Caro, a spoiled ex-beauty queen, becomes the chief suspect and is immediately jailed when she causes a riot in the courtroom. The"reverend"had twice married Caroto wealthy men, and when both marriages failed, Caroreceived large financial settlements.Now she may have to give all that money back, certainly a good enough reason to commit murder. ButCaro wasn't the onlyperson gunning for Victor. The child of the man Victor once murdered may have wanted to kill him, too, and at one point, even Teddy herself is handcuffed and jailed. Even worse, Teddy's embezzling fatherflies infrom exile in Costa Rica to help spring Caro from jail, thus putting his own freedom in jeopardy. As Teddy continues her investigation, she finds herself up to her ears in girl gang members, squabbling boat liveaboarders, Renaissance Faire actors and stuntmen, and assorted animals. Written with ahumorous touch, "TheLlamaof Death" portrays Renaissance Faire life, andgivesthe reader arare behind-the-scenes look at modern zoos.